Chewy Date Protein Bars

With their sky-high sugar count and near-endless list of hard-to-pronounce ingredients, many store-bought protein bars aren’t exactly an ideal snack choice. These homemade ones get their protein punch from almonds and brown rice protein powder (available at natural food stores), and are sweetened naturally with dried fruit.

Active time: 15 minutes

Total time: 1 hour, 15 minutes

Ingredients

1 cup almonds

1 cup chopped dates, packed

1 cup chopped unsulfured apricots, packed

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

1/4 cup plain brown rice protein powder

1 tablespoon water

Directions

In a food processor, pulse the almonds until finely chopped.

Add the dates, apricots, salt, vanilla, and almond extract and process until well combined (the mixture should still have some texture). Add the protein powder and water, and process again until combined.

Scoop out 1/4 cup of the mixture at a time and use your hands to shape each portion into a small bar (if your hands start to get sticky, rub them with a drop of oil).

Place the bars on a baking sheet or plate, refrigerate for at least an hour, and serve. Bars will keep in the refrigerator in a covered container for up to a week.